Nike yanks 'Boston Massacre' T-shirts in wake of bombing

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This undated photo provided by Eric Stangel shows a Nike shirt for sale at a Nike Outlet. Nike Inc. announced Monday it has pulled from the market T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Boston Massacre" in the aftermath of last week's bombing. The “Boston Massacre” phrase has been used to describe a pivotal late-season sweep by the Yankees of the rival Boston Red Sox in 1978. (AP Photo/Eric Stangel)

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Nike Inc. says it has pulled from the market T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Boston Massacre" in the aftermath of last week's bombing during the Boston Marathon that killed three people and left dozens injured.

The athletic company, based in Beaverton, Ore., said Monday that it took immediate action last week to remove the products. The shirts were sold primarily at its factory store outlets.

"The shirts being referenced are older baseball shirts that were predominantly being sold through our Factory Stores Outlets. In light of the tragedy in Boston we took immediate action last week to remove this product from distribution," said Nike spokeswoman Erin Patterson in a statement to KATU.

The shirts, which featured blood-splattered lettering, were designed for New York Yankees fans.

The "Boston Massacre" phrase has been used to describe a pivotal late-season sweep by the Yankees of the rival Boston Red Sox in 1978. That season culminated in a World Series championship for the Yankees.